But he was able to take Nero, a beloved pet to his family, for the surgery instead after the force saw sense.

Our police source said: “This has been a real shot across the bows for Police Scotland. It shows that killing animals that could be saved with routine operations won’t be tolerated.

“Putting down an animal with years of faithful service to the force was always going to be a PR disaster.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t happen again.”

Nero posing in front of a mirror

In a statement posted on Facebook Police Scotland said: "Nero had his surgery on Monday and he is recovering in the Small Animal Hospital.

"The operation wasn’t as straight forward as was hoped and he will be staying at the hospital for the next few days for observations but is already showing some interest in food and has been able to walk with a bit of assistance.

Officers are maintaining daily contact with the amazing vets and staff at the hospital to check on Nero’s condition."

Police Scotland have faced massive cutbacks in recent years. Savings have been made in many areas of the force and the number of police dogs has been reduced.

Based at Fettes in Edinburgh, Nero worked on scores of operations during his career. He found missing people, sniffed out burglars in hiding and recovered stolen goods.

He also featured in the Record in 2013, under the headline Nero the Hero, when he gave a blood transfusion to another dog suffering from a potentially fatal blood condition.